Pilot Study for the Use of Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Seborrheic Dermatitis

This pilot project investigates the use of PDT may be useful in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis based on the following: The Malassezia spp is capable of forming biofilms, 2) PDT has been shown to be effective against Malassezia spp PDT can break up bioflims of both bacterial and fungal origin and benzoyl peroxide, a prooxidant treatment similar to PDT, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy subjects 18 years or older with seborrheic dermatitis of the face will be included.

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects who are taking systemic corticosteroids (at doses of prednisone greater than or equal to 5 mg daily), antibiotics (PO, IM or IV) or using topical anti- fungals, steroids, antibiotics, permethrin, or calcineurin inhibitors within 2 weeks prior to the study will be excluded.
• The exclusion criteria will also include the presence of other untreated inflammatory conditions (such as lupus, atopic dermatitis, or psoriasis) or untreated malignancies on the face (including skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma).
• Any subjects with known or suspected hypersensitivity to any constituent of the study medication or a history of photosensitivity due to conditions such as lupus erythematosus and porphyria will be excluded.
• Subjects who have had photodynamic therapy (PDT) to the face for any reason within the past year will be excluded as well.
• Adults unable to consent, individuals under the age of 18, pregnant or breastfeeding women and prisoners will be excluded from the study.